Screening for Glaucomatous Changes Among Adults with Diabetes in Umuahia, Abia State

Diabetes mellitus is associated with an elevated risk of glaucoma, yet this association remains underinvestigated in many Nigerian communities. This study screens for glaucomatous changes among adults with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, South East Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive design will be employed, targeting 300 adults with confirmed type 2 diabetes aged 35 years and above. Glaucoma screening will include intraocular pressure measurement using non-contact tonometry, optic disc evaluation with direct ophthalmoscopy, and confrontation visual field testing. A structured questionnaire will document diabetes duration, glycemic control, medication use, and prior eye examination history. Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression to identify associations between diabetes-related variables and glaucomatous findings. The study expects to identify a significant proportion of participants with elevated intraocular pressure or suspicious optic disc changes who have never undergone formal glaucoma screening. Findings will be submitted to the Federal Medical Centre's diabetic management committee to advocate for the integration of routine glaucoma screening into diabetes care protocols in Abia State. This research reinforces the need for optometric-endocrinology collaboration in managing comorbid conditions in South East Nigeria and contributes to the evidence base for systemic disease-driven eye care in the region. Keywords: glaucoma screening, diabetes, intraocular pressure, Umuahia, optic disc